New to this site and raising chickens.

[MareeZoCool]

from Ohio; I've tried to persuade one of my hens to get her egg laying done early -to mid mornings, but she's a late-layer. after noon I finally see an egg then let her out to free-range as a reward. I noticed with my first hen that she'll lay her egg shortly after I serve breakfast.

It's one good reason to get myself outside early.

 

[apdan]

Mine are free range all the time, I had to lock them up for about a week early spring and now they all lay in the nesting boxes and are all done laying around 3 in the afternoon... I went in there and had a talk with them and threatened them that if they didn't start laying in the boxes the free range privledges were going to be taken away......

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Yes, yours are a tad young yet. Watch for their combs to get more red, and if they're friendly, and any of them squat for you (when you go to pet them), then that's a sign they'll lay soon.

 

[Foleys]

They wount even let me get close to them yet..

What can I do to make them let me pet them..?

Quote:
Yes, yours are a tad young yet. Watch for their combs to get more red, and if they're friendly, and any of them squat for you (when you go to pet them), then that's a sign they'll lay soon.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Ahhhhh..... that's right, you didn't get them as chicks.... The way to a chickens heart is through its stomach. Do this daily:

Take a can, or small pail, or something that will make noise when you shake the treats in it. BOSS (Black Oiled Sunflower Seeds) is a good treat, and IMHO better for them than scratch. Come up with some "call" for them, many folks do the "chick chick chick" thing. Say this as you approach their run, then step inside and scatter some BOSS for them. Or whatever you use as treats.

For extra-special treats, once or twice a week, I use shredded mozzarella cheese. This I carry in the treat pail, but take it out in a handsful and I hold it down to their level. Almost all of my chickens eat out of my hands. (The rooster does not, he holds back for the ladies.)

Then I also spend some quality time in the run, sitting in a plastic (washable!) yard chair, and just watch them. I drink my soda, even smoke a cigarette. (I put the extinquished butt in my pocket!!) They do their chicken-y things, and occasionally come 'round to check on me. I have one that will sit in my lap and tell me chicken stories.

Good luck!

 

[Foleys]

Thats funny my coop is not very bit gut I get a piece of cardboard and sit in there with them they were just eating out of my hands today and even let me touch them.. it was so exciting


Quote:
Ahhhhh..... that's right, you didn't get them as chicks.... The way to a chickens heart is through its stomach. Do this daily:

Take a can, or small pail, or something that will make noise when you shake the treats in it. BOSS (Black Oiled Sunflower Seeds) is a good treat, and IMHO better for them than scratch. Come up with some "call" for them, many folks do the "chick chick chick" thing. Say this as you approach their run, then step inside and scatter some BOSS for them. Or whatever you use as treats.

For extra-special treats, once or twice a week, I use shredded mozzarella cheese. This I carry in the treat pail, but take it out in a handsful and I hold it down to their level. Almost all of my chickens eat out of my hands. (The rooster does not, he holds back for the ladies.)

Then I also spend some quality time in the run, sitting in a plastic (washable!) yard chair, and just watch them. I drink my soda, even smoke a cigarette. (I put the extinquished butt in my pocket!!) They do their chicken-y things, and occasionally come 'round to check on me. I have one that will sit in my lap and tell me chicken stories.

Good luck!

 

[Wizbop]

Quote:
I've never heard of this re: squatting. That's interesting. Mine are 11 weeks. We've got a ways to go, but are still so excited. I, too, feed out of my hand treats like BOSS and flax and love the one on one w/ my girls.